Vila Real, Portugal – Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira successfully defended his WTT Youth Contender U-13 World Title, defeating Spain’s Alexander Malov in a thrilling 3-1 final in Vila Real, Portugal. Despite losing the opening set 04-11, the young Ugandan displayed remarkable resilience, bouncing back to win the next three sets 11-09, 14-12, and 11-09, securing a well-deserved victory.
Sebatindira’s journey to the final was marked by dominance and determination. In the semi-final, he swept past England’s Jayden Chen 3-0 with commanding scores of 11-03, 11-06, and 11-04. However, his quarter-final clash against Chow Kai Lun proved to be a stern test. Trailing 1-2 after losing the first and third sets, Sebatindira mounted a spirited comeback, claiming the fourth and fifth sets 11-09 and 11-09 to edge out a narrow 3-2 victory.
With another world title secured, Sebatindira is now setting his sights on defending his U-11 world championship. The young sensation will begin his campaign on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, where he is pooled in Group 1 alongside Portuguese competitors Francisco Romualdo and Santiago Diao.
Sebatindira’s remarkable performances are a testament to his unwavering dedication and the guidance of his coach, Alvin Katumba. Under Katumba’s mentorship, the young star has honed his technique, strategy, and mental fortitude, making him a formidable force in youth table tennis.
With back-to-back world titles in the U-13 category, Sebatindira has firmly established himself as one of the brightest young talents in the sport. As he now turns his focus to the U-11 competition, all eyes will be on the Ugandan prodigy to see if he can extend his reign and cement his legacy on the global stage.
